Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

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About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

Wartime attacks on health-care workers and facilities on steep rise

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Front Lines
Front Lines

A young patient was among those wounded in a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian children’s hospital in Kyiv on July 8, 2024. Two people were killed and at least 16 wounded in the strike on Okhmatdyt Hospital.[ZelenskyyUa/X]

Wartime attacks on health-care workers and facilities on steep rise

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

Attacks on clinics, hospitals and health-care workers in conflict zones numbered more than 3,600 in 2024, a 62 per cent increase in two years, says a new report.

More than a third of the attacks targeted Gaza or the West Bank; hundreds more were recorded in Ukraine, Lebanon, Myanmar and Sudan.

The report “Epidemic of Violence: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict 2024,” by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, says the attacks consisted of air, missile and drone strikes; shelling; tank fire; shootings; arson; the looting and takeover of health facilities; and the arrest and detention of health workers.

“By far the largest number of attacks on health care—more than 1,300—took place in Gaza and the West Bank, far more than we have ever reported in one conflict in one year, including more than double the number of health workers killed,” wrote coalition chair Len Rubenstein.

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The Briefing
The Briefing

Flying Officer Donald Galloway Watt McKie was returning from a mission when his, and another plane were shot down by U.K. friendly fire. He did not survive. [McKie family]

Remembering Canadian downed by U.K. friendly fire tragedy in WW II

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

Craig McKie of Fraser Valley, B.C., never met his father.

He was just two months old on May 29, 1944, when Flying Officer Donald Galloway Watt McKie of Toronto, piloting the Wellington bomber LN443, lost his life, along with all five other crew members, following a friendly fire incident near the rural English village of Hazelbury Bryan in Dorset.

The absence the tragedy left never went away. It was “always there,” recalls Craig. There was “always a missing chair.”

As for many families who lost fathers, brothers and sons, the McKie’s never really got over it.

The lost became internalized and its ripple felt for generations, including by people who didn’t even meet him. Craig’s daughter Catriana was one of them.

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Remember and Honor The Falllen This Memorial Day Weekend

An item from the Wreaths Across America organization.


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As we start Memorial Day weekend, we are surrounded by reminders to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. At Wreaths Across America, these reminders are not seasonal—they are part of our daily mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

Read Karen Worcester’s full message on Memorial Day here, and keep scrolling to learn more about our year-round mission.

Remember And Honor This Memorial Day Weekend

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This Memorial Day weekend, please join us as we Remember, Honor, and Teach about those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.

Remember and Honor your loved ones through our Remembrance Tree Program and our Virtual “Remember Wall.”

Remembrance Tree Program

Wreaths Across America established the Remembrance Tree Program to create living memorials for veterans. This program is FREE and open to all families who have or have had a loved one in the military. Click here to learn more.

Virtual “Remember Wall”

With each $17 wreath sponsorship, you can dedicate a veteran’s wreath “In memory of” a friend or loved one who served. Post photos, memories, and personal messages as a year-round display of remembrance. If you’d like to participate, start your sponsorship here or search for the Wreaths Across America location you wish to support.

Share Your Story On Wreaths Across America Radio

We want to feature the great work you are doing in your community in support of Wreaths Across America! Click on the button below to schedule an interview.

In our featured interview, hear how the Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Bismarck, North Dakota, supports the mission and funds their squadron.

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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit in June

Mobile Education Exhibit MEE

The Mobile Education Exhibit brings communities and our military together with education, stories, and interactive connections. In June, the Mobile Education Exhibit will visit several stops in Pennslyvania.

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Give the gift of remembrance by sponsoring a Patriot Pair!

When you sponsor a Patriot Pair, one wreath will be placed on a veteran’s headstone at a participation location, and a second wreath will be sent to the address of your choice.

PATRIOT PAIR

Make sure to follow Wreaths Across America official channels on social media for the most up-to-the-minute news on the mission throughout the year:

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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

Memorial Day Service 2025

Earlier today Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion (representing the San Francisco Bay Area) held their annual Memorial Day Service. The service took place at the Royal Canadian Legion plot in the Greenlawn Memorial Park on 1100 El Camino Real in Colma, CA.  The service was originally streamed at 11am on Saturday, 24 May 2025, and a recording of that stream (with some editing to address some of the technical issue) is available below.

The program can be viewed by clicking here.

The land acknowledgement for our plot at Greenlawn Memorial Park is available by clicking here.

The original speech from the Disabled American Veterans is available at:

https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/Memorial_Day_Speech_2025.pdf

Memorial Day Meditative Organ Concert at Presidio Chapel

Again, if you aren’t able to join members of the branch on Saturday, 24 May at Greenlawn Memorial Park, maybe this event from the Interfaith Chapel at the Presidio on Monday may be of interest.


Interfaith Center at the Presidio

Unleashing the Power of

Interreligious Cooperation

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE

Honor and Remember

Monday, May 26, 2025 at 12:15 pm

Meditative Organ Concert

Robert Gurney, Organist

Presidio Chapel

Following the 11-12 pm Annual Observance

at the San Francisco National Cemetery next door.

Presidio Chapel

130 Fisher Loop, San Francisco, CA 94129

P.O. Box 29055  • San Francisco, CA 94129 • 415-561-3930 (office)

415-686-2639 (cell)  • presidiointerfaith@gmail.com

www.interfaithpresidio.org